About the Ogawa Bunsai Family Residence Climbing Kiln
The Ogawa Bunsai Family Residence Climbing Kiln (小川文齋家住宅登り窯) is a brick climbing kiln of the early Meiji period (1868 to 1882) at the Ogawa Bunsai house on Gojozaka in Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on November 2, 2018. It is a six-chamber connected kiln built east-west along the north edge of the plot (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency for Cultural Affairs records it as brick, 11 metres long and 5 metres wide, with a chimney; registration number 26-0578, with no owner listed. The Ogawa Bunsai family are potters who set up independently on Gojozaka in 1873, and their main house, storehouse and climbing kiln were all registered on November 2, 2018 (Agency for Cultural Affairs, Bunsai Kiln).
Why It Was Registered
The Ogawa Bunsai Family Residence Climbing Kiln was registered as a structure that contributes to the historic landscape of the country. The Agency for Cultural Affairs values it as a rare relic of the pottery industry's prosperity in a heavily urbanised Gojozaka.
According to Bunsai Kiln, the first Bunsai studied the round-kiln method in Arita and built kilns in many places. The climbing kiln was damaged in 2018 and repaired the following year.
What to Look For
The Ogawa Bunsai Family Residence Climbing Kiln is built east-west to use the rising ground along the north edge of the plot, with its firing mouth on the west. It is 5 metres wide and 11 metres long, its six firing chambers stepping up the slope (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
It is mainly of firebrick, with a brick chimney at the north-east corner (Agency for Cultural Affairs). The brick chambers climbing the slope show how a climbing kiln works.
Visiting the Ogawa Bunsai Family Residence Climbing Kiln
The Ogawa Bunsai Family Residence is a potter's home and workshop, and we found no official information on public access. Please view it only from Gojo-dori. Bunsai Kiln accepts enquiries about pottery classes and commissions (Bunsai Kiln).
Q&A
- When was the Ogawa Bunsai Family Residence Climbing Kiln built?
- In the early Meiji period (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- How big is the Ogawa Bunsai Family Residence Climbing Kiln?
- A six-chamber kiln 5 metres wide and 11 metres long (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What is the Ogawa Bunsai Family Residence Climbing Kiln built of?
- Mainly firebrick, with a brick chimney (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- When was the Ogawa Bunsai Family Residence Climbing Kiln registered?
- On November 2, 2018.
- Can you visit the Ogawa Bunsai Family Residence Climbing Kiln?
- There is no official information on public access; view it from Gojo-dori.
Basic Information
| Name | Ogawa Bunsai Family Residence Climbing Kiln (小川文齋家住宅登り窯) |
|---|---|
| Location | 502 Gojobashi-higashi 6-chome, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2018/11/2 (Heisei 30) |
| Quantity | 1 structure |
| Dimensions | Brick, 11 metres long and 5 metres wide, with a chimney |
| Owner | Not listed in the national record |
| Public Access | No official information on public access |
References
- Ogawa Bunsai Family Residence Climbing Kiln (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00012578
- Bunsai Kiln (official website)
- https://bunsaigama.com/
Last verified: 2026.10.07
